Display-print module



April 21; 1970 J SQULE ET AL v DISPLAY-PRINT MODULE Filed Oct. 16, 19682 Sheeiis-Sheeh 1 INVENTORS JAMES L. S'OULE TH MAS J WERNER ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent US. Cl. 355-45 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA display-print terminal wherein a light pattern from a cathode ray tubeis enlarged and focused by a lens assembly onto a viewing screen oralternatively focused onto a data recorder via an oscillatingmirror-shutter assembly for producing a printed or graphic copy of thelight pattern upon demand of the operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Display terminals are used to visuallydisplay computer-generated information to a user of the computer. Theseterminals, with the increased utilization of timesharing and real-timedata processing systems, are placing a computer within arms reach ofthose who until now had, at best, only limited access tocomputer-generated information. Yet, while these display terminals haveextended the usefulness of computers, the limited user continues to bebeset with problems of how to better utilize the displayed informationat a subsequent date. A compact device that would allow the operator ofthe display terminal to obtain a copy of the computer-generatedinformation would greatly enhance the utilization of these terminals.However, such a device to achieve acceptance should be sufficientlycompact to fit upon a desk-top and provide means for visually dsplayingthe graphic pattern and means for obtaining a copy of the pattern upondemand of the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a displayterminal and more particularly to a display-print module for visuallydisplaying received information as a light pattern and for obtaining ahard copy of the light pattern upon demand of the operator.

Thus, the operator of a desk-top display-print module may visuallyexamine the displayed pattern and, upon demand, obtain a copy thereoffor subsequent use. In addition to electronic data processing, adisplay-print module may be used to record medical data such aselectrocardiographs and electroencephalographs; to duplicate sustainedTV facsimile displays; and to reproduce repeating waveforms displayed oncathode ray tube instrumentation recorders.

Other uses and many of the attendant advantages of this invention willbe readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout the figures and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a desk-top displayprint module;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatical side elevational view of the terminal ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of the mirror-shutterassembly taken on the line 33 of FIG- URE 1 looking in the direction ofthe arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is an electrical schematic of the terminal of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURE 1, there is shown a desk-topdisplay-print module 10 comprising a housing 12, a cathode ray tube(CRT) 20, (see FIG- URE 2), a fixed mirror 24, a rotatablemirror-shutter assembly 30, a lens assembly 50, a viewing screen 70 anda data recorder 80.

The minimized exterior dimensions of the housing 12, thus thecompactness of the display-printer, is an important aspect in inducingpeople to use the terminal in a casual manner. However, this compactnessconstrains the functional operation of the components therewithin. Asfor example, the data recorder must be minimal in size, the optic systemshould be folded and include a magnification lens assembly 50 to enlargethe image from the compact CRT 20 to a generally acceptable projection,for easy viewing and copying, of approximately 8 x 10 inches. Thus, thedesirable compactness of the terminal dictates physical sizerestrictions placed on the other components therewithin.

The housing 12 supports the components of the module and comprises afront wall 14, a rear wall 16, two side walls 17, 17, a top wall 18 andbottom wall 19. In addition to these exterior walls, the housingincludes an interior partition 13 having an aperture 15 therein. Thispartition provides a chamber for the data recorder 80. Information, inthe form of electrical signals, is supplied to the module by electricalcomponents not part of this invention. This electrical information isconverted into a light pattern by the CRT 20 and displayed on itsfaceplate 22. The keyboard 23, not a part of this invention, may be usedby the operator of the terminal to update and change the light patternappearing on the screen by the operator communicating with the computer.

For any kind of practical viewing of the light pattern in ambient roomlight, the'screen 70 has to have a brightness of approximately 6foot-candles. Therefore, the CRT 20 has to be compact to satisfy thespace restriction and of extraordinary brightness to adequatelyilluminate the screen 70. The faceplate 22 is substantially flat, atleast within a 4 inch square raster, so that the image on the faceplate22 may be optically imaged as a fiat and naturally appearing image uponthe screen 70 and recorder 80 in an efiicient manner. Although similarCRTs may be used, the CRT utilized in this embodiment is a Sylvania SC4369 available from Sylvania Electric Products Co., Seneca Falls, NY.

The rear projection viewing screen 70, structurally supported by thefront wall 14 and overlapping the opening 71 therewithin, receives thelight pattern from the CRT. An operator of the module may then visuallyobserve the light pattern appearing on the screen 70.

A self-contained data recorder 80 provides the operator, upon demand,with a copy of the light pattern. Although other data recorders could beutilized, the compact data recorder used in the preferred embodiment isa Model 144 Data Recorder available from the Minnesota Mining andManufacturing Co., St. Paul, Minn. This unit includes a roll 82 oflight-sensitive paper 83, a print plane 84 on which the light-sensitivepaper 83 is exposed to the light pattern appearing on the CRT forforming a latent image on the paper, feed rolls 85 for advancing thepaper to the thermal processor 86 wherein the paper is heated to atemperature sufficient to develop the latent image to a visible image, aknife 88' for severing the exposed area or section of the paper from theunexposed paper and a delivery roll 89 for providing the operator withthe graphic copy of the light pattern appearing on the viewing screen70'.

The folded optical system, as shown in FIGURE 2, necessitated by thephysical restrictions of the housing, comprises a fixed mirror 24positioned at 45 degrees to the optical center line 25, a rotatablemirror-shutter assembly 30 and a lens assembly 50. The fixed mirror 24above the CRT and the mirror 34 of the pivotal mirror-shutter assemblyare made of ground and highly polished plate glass. The first surfacesof these mirrors are coated with aluminum with an overcoating of siliconmonoxide to prevent the aluminum from oxidizing. This hard, highlyreflective composition has a reflectivity of more than 90 percent.

The mirror-shutter assembly 30, as shown in FIGURE 3, comprises a beam32 pivotably supported by the housing 12, an arm 36 pivotably connectedto the beam and resiliently connected to the beam by a bolt-spring assembly 38, an actuating motor 40 for pivotably moving the assemblybetween an upper position and a lower position, and a mirror 34 aflixedto the beam 32. It is important that the CRT 20 not be illuminated whenthe mirror assembly is between the upper and lower positions to avoidsmearing of the image on the light-sensitive paper 83. When the assemblyis in the upper position, the mirror will intercept the optical pathbetween the lens 50 and the screen 70 at an angle of 45 degrees to theoptical center line and reflect the light pattern onto the print plane84. As shown in FIGURE 3, the actuating motor 40 is connected via thepitman 63 and the roller 64 to the channel 65 of the arm 36 to actuatethe mirror-shutter assembly between the upper and lower positions. Asthe assembly 30 reaches the upper position, the beam 32 is stopped bythe abutment, which accuraely positions the mirror 34 in the upperposition, while the arm .36 continues to pivot relative to the beam 32compressing the bolt-spring assembly 38 (see FIG- URE 3) wherein the arm36 actuates the mirror up switch 73. Thus, the CRT 20 can not beilluminated until after the mirror 34 has been stopped and positioned inprecise optical alignment relative to the print plane 84. When theassembly is in the lower position the light pattern may be received bythe viewing screen and the assembly 30 acts as a shutter together with agasket 41 abutting the partition 13 around the periphery of the aperture15 to seal the light-sensitive paper on the print plane from lightgenerated from the illuminating CRT 20.

In operation of the display-print module 10, lightsensitive paper 83 isinserted into the data recorder 80 to provide light-sensitive paper 83over the print plane 84. Insertion of the paper closes the paper sensingswitch 51, shown open in FIGURE 4. The main switch 52 is turned on andpower is supplied to the module to preheat the heaters 53 of the datarecorder to their operating temperatures. Heat from the heaters 53 willdeifect the bimetal switches 54, 55 and thus open switch 54 and moveswitch 55 to the electrical contact 56. The information source 72 isproviding electrical signals to the CRT 20 by a separate switch (notshown). When the operator desires to make a copy of the light patternappearing on the viewing screen 70, the print switch 57 is closed toenergize the relay 58. Energization of the relay 58 closes the contacts60 and 61 which start the mirror drive motor and continues to energizethe motor 40 after switch 57 has been released. The motor 40 actuatesthe movement of the mirror-shutter assembly 30 via (see FIGURE 3) theshaft 62, the pitman 63 and the roller 64 operating within the channel65 of the arm 36.

As the assembly 30 begins to move away from the lower position, thecontact 67 of CRT control switch 66 is closed to blank the illuminationof the CRT via the blanking amplifier 68 and contacts 74 are closed. Asthe assembly 30 reaches the upper position the mirror 34 is accuratelypositioned and the arm 36 continues to pivot to electrically connect thecontact 91 of the mirror up switch 73, the mirror drive motor 40 isturned off and the timer 75 is energized at the same time the contacts78 of the CRT control switch 77 is open which illuminates the CRT viathe blanking amplifier 68. After the light-sensitive paper 83 has beenexposed, the timer 75 closes contact 76 which energizes relay to returnthe assembly 30 to the lower position and starts the paper drive motor79.

When the assembly reaches the lower position the mirror down switch 91is actuated to drop out relay 92 to stop the mirror drive motor 40. Asthe mirror begins to move down from the upper position the CRT controlswitch 78 is closed which blanks the CRT. The mirror up switch 91 isactuated to turn off the timer 75. As the mirror returns to the lowerposition the interlock switch 69 and the CRT control switch 67 areactuated to return the machine to the start position. Before the mirrorreturns to the lower position and the relay 92 is de-energized, thepaper feed switch'93 is actuated to power the paper drive motor 79 tocomplete the cycle. 7

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, itwill be appreciated that this is for the purpose of illustration andthat numerous modifications may be made therein without department fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display-print module for receiving information supplied to themodule and for visually displaying the information as a light patternand for providing a copy of the light pattern upon demand of theoperator, comprising:

(l) a cathode ray tube having a light pattern formed on its face platefrom the information supplied to the module;

(2) screen means for receiving the light pattern from said cathode raytube and visually displaying the light pattern;

(3) data recorder means for making a copy of the light pattern from saidcathode ray tube, including (a) a print plane having light-sensitiveheat developable paper thereon for receiving the light pattern andforming a latent image thereon;

(b) means for heating the light-sensitive paper and developing thelatent image into a visible image;

(c) means for feeding the light-sensitive paper having the latent imagethereon to said developing means; and

((1) means for delivering from the module the light-sensitive paperhaving the visible image thereon whereby a copy of the light pattern isprovided to the operator;

(4) movable means having an upper position for reflecting the lightpattern onto said print plane and a lower position for alternativelypermitting the light pattern to be received by said viewing means, saidmovable means including (a) a mirror-shutter assembly including (1) apivotable beam;

(2) a mirror affixed to said beam;

(3) an arm having one end pivotably connected to said beam and the otherend resiliently connected to said beam;

(4) abutment means for stopping the pivotable movement of said beam atthe upper position for reflecting the light pattern onto said printplane and for stopping said beam at the lower position to permit thelight pattern to be received .by said viewing screen and to lightablyseal said print plane from the illumination of the cathode ray tube;

(b) means operatively connected to said arm for actuating saidmirror-shutter assembly between said upper and lower positions, wherebymovement of said actuating means will pivotably rotate said beam untilsaid beam is stopped by said abutment means in said upper position toaccurately position said mirror in optical alignment with said printplane and said arm will continue to pivot relative to said beam topermit electrical switch actuation after said mirror has been opticallypositioned to illuminate said cathode ray tube; and

(5) lens means for imaging the light pattern from said cathode ray tubeupon said viewing means or on said print plane via said movable means.

2. A display-print module for receiving information supplied to themodule and for visually displaying the information as a light patternand for providing a copy of the light pattern upon demand of theoperator, comprising:

(1) a cathode ray tube having a light pattern formed on its face platefrom the information supplied to the module;

(2) screen means for receiving the light pattern from said cathode raytube and visually displaying the light pattern;

(3) data recorder means for making a copy of the light pattern from saidcathode ray tube, including (a) a print plane having light-sensitiveheat developable paper thereon for receiving the light pattern andforming a latent image thereon;

(b) means for heating the light-sensitive paper and developing thelatent image into a visible image;

(c) means for feeding the light-sensitive paper having the latent imagethereon to said developing means; and

(d) means for delivering from the module the light-sensitive paperhaving the visible image thereon whereby a copy of the light pattern isprovided to the operator;

(4) movable means for reflecting the light pattern onto said print planeor for alternatively permitting the light pattern to be received by saidviewing means, said movable means including (a) a mirror-shutterassembly including (1) a pivotable beam;

(2) a mirror aflixed to said beam;

(3) abutment means for stopping the pivotable movement of said beam atan upper position in the optical path for reflecting the light patternonto said print plane and at a lower position for permitting the lightpattern to be received by said viewing screen and for lightably sealingsaid print plane from the illumination of the cathode ray tube; (4) anarm (a) pivotably connected to said beam; (b) resiliently connected tosaid beam;

(b) means operatively connected to said arm for actuating saidmirror-shutter assembly between said upper and lower positions, wherebymovement of said actuating means will pivotably rotate said beam untilsaid beam is stopped by said abutment means to accurately position saidmirror in optical alignment with said print plane;

(c) first switch means for blanking the illumination of the cathode raytube when said mirrorshutter assembly begins to move from the lowerposition to thereby restrict illumination of the light-sensitive paperwhile said mirror-shutter assembly is moving from said lower position tosaid upper position;

(d) second switch means for unblanking the illumination of the cathoderay tube when the mirrorshutter assembly has reached said upper positionto thereby illuminate the light-sensitive paper with the light pattern;and

(5) lens means for imaging the light pattern from said cathode ray tubeupon said viewing means or on said print plane via said movable means.

3. The display-print module according to claim 2 wherein said secondswitch means is actuated by pivotable movement of said arm after saidbeam has been stopped by said abutment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,561,612 7/1951 Culver 346l10 X2,623,117 12/1952 Hammond 1787.4 2,680,148 6/ 1954 Puringtou et a11786.7 2,938,427 5/1960 Alves 355 3,047,871 7/1962 Hider et a1. 3463,339,543 9/1967 Richard 346--110 X JOSEPH W. HARTARY, Primary ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3507.575 Dated Apzj l 2]. 1970 Inventor(s) J. L- SOULE ET AL It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, Line &4, cancel l-369" and insert "#639". Column 3, Line 6,cancel "reflective" and insert --reflective--; Column 3, Line 28, cancel"accuraely" and insert --accurately--; Column 3, Line 50, cancel "ffect"and insert ---flect--.

SIGNED AND SEALEU mum Edwuilll'letdmlr. AltesfingOficcr FORM PO-IO O 9)USCOMM-DC 60376-P59 u 5 GOVUINNENT PWNTINC 0' CE I!!! OSGG!S4

